tech
March 30, 2026
These retractable studded tires might save our roads, ears, and lungs
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TL;DR
- Traditional studded snow tires are effective in snow but are often loud, road-damaging, and detrimental to air quality.
- Nokian's new Hakkapeliitta 01 tires feature studs with an "adaptive base" designed to retract when not needed, particularly on dry roads.
- The retraction is triggered by the heat generated from the studs contacting the road at moderate to high speeds, or by cold temperatures hardening the base to keep studs extended on icy surfaces.
- Tests indicate these tires offer substantial noise reduction (claimed 1 dB by Nokian) and a 30% reduction in dry road wear compared to conventional studded tires.
- The technology aims to mitigate environmental concerns, including airborne particulate matter linked to lung cancer, generated by studs on asphalt.
- Real-world testing confirmed a dramatic reduction in the characteristic "popcorn" sound of studded tires on dry asphalt, with a noticeable improvement in noise at highway speeds.
- While quieter and less damaging, the Hakkapeliitta 01 tires are expected to be as expensive, if not more so, than their predecessors, which cost around $200 per tire.
- The decision to purchase hinges on weighing the quality of life and environmental benefits against the potential premium cost.
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